Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by Starriddin on 2009-03-20 21:37:47

This may come off as a rant. It is not meant to be, although it does allow some venting. First, let me say I think Line 6 is a very good company to deal with based on prior treatment with an XTL problem in which they were more than reasonable. Second, I love the X3L and all its capabilities and especially the tones. I love POD farm and Guitarport Online (when I can use it) and I am beggining to like the new forum although the learning curve was abit steep at first, and I love the community of users of Line 6 products. These things make Line 6 a cutting edge company. Now, the problem. Many of us have been patiently waiting for a resolution to the USB audio drop-out problem for over a year. It is time to admit that this is a hardware issue and make arrangements for an orderly repair, or, give us a projected date when a firmware fix will fix the issue. Yes, I know you will be crucified if you are a week late. But, Line 6 has had quite a long time without a deadline pressure to resolve this issue, without result, yet many new products have been introduced since this issue was known. Workarounds that involve purchasing additional hardware is unacceptable and does not work for everyone of us. Many of the first X3L purchasers were(are) repeat customers, having owned the XTL and other Line 6 products. It is time for Line 6 to make this the ONLY priority in the company. The affected customers do not want this to become another Vetta II where fixes were promised then dismissed as not cost effective (after 2 years). If there is no viable fix, then be prepared to offer refunds as a stand-up thing to do. We customers may surprise you and buy other of your products with the refund. To do what has been done for over a year cannot continue. It makes Line 6 look like they don't care, right or wrong. Please issue your own fix it date, recall date(s), or admit defeat and offer refunds. Again, I think we all want to keep the unit, but, it has to work with USB. Sorry for the Rant.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by MarkSSwanson on 2009-03-21 04:44:04

Starriddin I think your post is very reasonable considering that many of us have been waiting over a year. I too love the X3L's tones and am a repeat L6 customer, but my primary use of the X3L is recording guitar tracks via USB. My dropout times are not as severe as others have reported, but it seems L6 owes the community a better explanation of the situation. I am beginning to believe that if there is a fix for this problem it will cost the people who opt for it both money and time.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by s0c9 on 2009-03-21 06:54:56

Of course his post is reasonable... so are many on other L6 product forums requesting that L6 "fix" the bugs in their products.

Personally, I've been waiting for over 3 yrs for L6 to fix the bugs in my Flextone software - I'll not list them here, but there's quite a few - and to date NONE of them have been corrected.

They decided to focus their resources on other products such as the Spider Valve and the X3 series.

Based on experience, I'd not hold my breath !

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by Starriddin on 2009-03-22 14:23:05

Bump for an official Line 6 reply.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by LeonardoCastro on 2009-03-22 21:35:46

"/.../ The affected customers do not want this to become another Vetta II where fixes were promised then dismissed as not cost effective (after 2 years)."

i cant seem to copy and paste , but this was there responce after 3 years of the promise to fix it ,

there is a big thread in the old forums, im sure they just want us to forget

we were assured the issues would be fixed , and then did not follow through ,

again this was after 3 years of - it will be fixed

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by TheRealZap on 2009-03-23 06:52:57

maybe we should all band together and seek a legal solution... seriously... everyone here has given them patience upon patience only to get non-commital answers that serve to pacify us... the kicker for me was... the part where they acknowledged a solution that was "beyond the testing phase" but then somehow still more or less said "you can't have it though" and they won't even acknowledge what "it" is... i mean if its waiting for a coordinated rollout on a hardware fix... that's fine... i'm happy to do it orderly etc... i just want it done.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by brainstem3000 on 2009-03-23 07:32:22

here is a copy of the old vetta thread , i hope it works , its a good read

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by 1finger on 2009-03-23 09:01:25

Hey.

i've owned my X3 live for a few months. I've only recently recorded with it USB into my computer , and only a little bit , as I have a decent recording studio with a lot of professional gear already. I wanted to use the X3 for ideas , and for possibly adding additional tracks of guitars into Logic before mastering.

Anyways ; during the little bit I did record , I didn't notice any "dropout" in audio. Can you explain the scenario where this happens ?

I'm wondering if this is an issue that Line 6 has resolved "unannounced" in newer units , so they don't have to be responsible for correcting the problem in early X3's. ( just a thought )

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by ClassicalDad on 2009-03-23 09:11:32

When using the X3L as the computers "soundcard", the audio will be playing but suddenly stop. This might take seconds, minutes, tens of minutes or hours. There is no error detected by the audio program. Recording actually continues to work. To get the audio playback working again, you have to quit the audio program, reboot the X3L, and restart the audio program. You can test yours by putting any audio playback in a loop, and leave it run all day/all night to see if it ever cuts out.

Line6 has a hardware fix that they tested on a couple units for people here in the forum, 6 months ago, but they refuse to tell us anything other than they are still working on it. In fact, the comments were more positive a month ago ("Honestly, I can't se it taking much longer"; "We are past the testing phase") than they were last week ("We're still working on it"; "Nothing new to report").

Line6Miller has said repeatedly that they absolutely intend to fix this problem.

What is a person to think?

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by 1finger on 2009-03-23 09:31:57

I will definitely try this out for myself and post my results. I highly doubt I have a new "fixed " unit , but who knows.

My advice is , Don't stop the threads complaining about it. Make everyone aware of the problem so people don't think they are alone. Update the thread daily - asking for help from Line 6 . Keep the thread at the top of the current ones. I'm sure there are some great guys who work for the company that post , but that doesn't mean these guys are the one's responsible for sales and service. remember -- squeaky wheel gets the grease , and there's strength in numbers.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by MarkSSwanson on 2009-03-23 10:14:21

I've often wondered if this problem is related to quality control. Perhaps some of the X3L's are made with components that match the design specs done by L6 and therefore don't have the dropout problem, while some have components that are not within design tolerance and have the problem. It's just a thought and I have no evidence for it. However, one of the things I've heard consistently about electronics and guitars manufactured in China is that it was fine when the US companies were actively involved in monitoring quality control. In the last several years companies that outsource the labor to China have "saved" some money by letting the Chinese do the quality control. Unfortunately, in some cases the Chinese company didn't do a very good job of it. I hope nobody construes this as bashing the Chinese, but it's just a sad fact. A guitar dealer on another forum told the story that he wanted to stock Eastman guitars, which are made in China, but he was worried about quality. So he ordered 5 to see what they were like. His comment was that they were exquisitely made and an incredible bargain for the price. So he ordered 45 more and got 45 guitars which were almost worthless - truss rods snapped, necks warped, and on and on. He just pitched most of them.

OK. Consider this a longwinded bump. Peace.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by ans-si on 2009-03-23 10:30:47

I wonder why line6 cannot provide any information. They must have some knowledge about this issue after year of investigation. Or are they too busy developing new products?

It would help new customers (and existing ones) if they could provide more information about this problem (incompatible hardware, chipsets etc). Or is it really so that they don't have any more knowledge? If this is the case, they should at least announce official list of known issues in the product pages.

At the moment, my feeling is that they are misleading their customers.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by Starriddin on 2009-03-23 13:40:38

Back to the top for a replay from Line 6

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by MarkSSwanson on 2009-03-23 14:02:39

Hey Brainstem, that Vetta.doc was amazing. Like Yogi Berra said it's deja vu all over again.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by jirikrov on 2009-03-24 02:56:48

Hi all. Try “Monkey / Updates / Drivers / Reinstall latest” to reinstall all drivers from LINE6. I had had that same troubles and this helped. Reply your experiences.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by brainstem3000 on 2009-03-24 04:55:06

its amazing what line6 did with the vetta .2 years of leading us on , telling us it would be fixed, and then they made the hard decision , not to fix it all. so anything can happen with the x3 .... ?

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by maik211 on 2009-03-24 05:40:20

Perhaps the creative people are gone. In germany we have the "Arbeitsamt" for that kind of trouble. Line6 has to order a programmer to fix it.

Hey Line6 - do we have to pay for this?

Sometimes Line6 remains me to Microsoft...throwing something at the marked and let´s see if it works.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by Zebop on 2009-03-24 06:23:39

Bump!

Still the same problem here, no fix.

I think this is rediculous. And I also think they hve "redone" the forums to ged rid of the old complaints too. You have to go trough quite some "layers" / links to get here finally.

I decided not to invest (amplification system) any further in the X3 live because of this...It is gathering dust now in it's bag.

Hugo

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by maik211 on 2009-03-24 09:57:52

yo Hugo seems you´re right.

The X3L was the last thing I buy from Line 6!!!!!

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by MarkSSwanson on 2009-03-25 15:11:34

I think what bothers me the most about this is the potential lack of honesty. If L6 came out and said "you know guys, there's only about 20 of you that are all worked up about USB audio dropout and it's just not worth our time to dedicate 23 L6 monkeys to fix it" I'd be OK with that. Not happy, but OK. At least I'd know that what I had was all I'd ever have. I guess that's what happened with Vetta - but I don't know since I never owned one. But I think that when they say "we're on top of it, we're working on it" it just reeks of trying to keep people who want that USB recording and playback capability buying a new unit. In that sense it could be dishonest if they're just saying that. I hope that tomorrow L6Miller comes on and announces a solution and all of us pessimists - me for one - are once again exposed as cynics.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by brentdg on 2009-03-25 17:58:06

To be honest I've given up and I don't care anymore. Its been almost 2 years and I'm tired of waiting. I won't buy another Line 6 product and then hope and wait for it to be fixed and 100% of what it should be... The X3L will be the only Line 6 product I ever own. I so glad I didn't buy a UX8 and a Variax right away.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by MarkSSwanson on 2009-03-26 11:36:53

I hear you. If L6 announces a new product I for one will wait for the initial problems and troubleshooting to take place before I plop down a chunk of change. I like the X3L sounds but I would not have bought one if I had read posts like the ones here since my major use is recording guitar tracks via USB. If my major use was on stage then it might be different.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by orangekeeper2 on 2009-03-26 13:30:49

+1 to Brent and Mark... I thought hard before getting the X3L as I knew the USB dropout would cause me problems with what I wanted to do. Stupidy I though L6 would fix it reasonably soon (I expected a wait of months, not years).

[Get's on soap box]

L6 will have to come up with something pretty special to make me purchase another of their products in future. Even then, I'll wait longer (Longer than the 4 months I waited before buying the X3L if I have to) and check the forums before I spend any cash.

To be honest, I have lost all brand loyalty I had to L6.

[steps off soap box]

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by Baggs on 2009-03-27 07:33:22

I think I accidently found a solution to the usb drop issue. I've always had a Behringer 8 channel mixer plugged into my line-in on my soundcard. This allows me to plug in 8 different devices at the front of my pc rather than have to plug chords into the back of the pc, plus, I get to plugin as much as 8 external sound devices.I have the Pod plugged into channel 8 on the mixer and when I record I use the line-in option which gives me perfect sound and I don't even have to plugin the usb chord.If you have a spare small mixer, you mant to give this a try?

Baggs

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by LeonardoCastro on 2009-03-27 07:49:58

Bump!

Still the same problem here, no fix.

I think this is rediculous. And I also think they hve "redone" the forums to ged rid of the old complaints too. You have to go trough quite some "layers" / links to get here finally.

I decided not to invest (amplification system) any further in the X3 live because of this...It is gathering dust now in it's bag.

Hugo

+1

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by LeonardoCastro on 2009-03-27 07:51:49

yo Hugo seems you´re right.

The X3L was the last thing I buy from Line 6!!!!!

+1

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by TheRealZap on 2009-03-27 07:52:43

you can't possibly do what the usb is capable of that way... there aren't enough outputs

tone one stereo (2 tracks)

tone two stereo (2 tracks)

dual tone blend (2 tracks)

dual dry inputs (2 tracks)

there is no way with an external input device you can record all 8 of these tracks

not to mention you are using the obama economy philosophy... which involves throwing lots of money at lots of problems and hoping that things work out....

around my house... things get tough... we do more with less... we don't do even more with even more!

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by ClassicalDad on 2009-03-27 07:59:33

-1 (minus 1)

Please don't anybody call this a "solution to the usb drop issue". Please don't anybody give Line6 the impression that you are OK with this workaround. If you read the Vetta announcement where, after 2 years of promising to fix the problems, they decided _not_ to fix them after all, they explicity said that various work-arounds existed for most or all of the problems. Bypassing the USB connection to the X3L is absolutely unacceptable.

It's a poor desparate work-around at best, considering the issues and what you're giving up:

- analog instead of digital, which if you have good equipment maybe you won't hear the difference.

- you may have a crappy soundcard on your PC or laptop to begin with.

- my laptop doesn't even have a line-in, but my Behringer mixer came with a very simple USB interface with RCA in and outs.

- you don't have the choice of any or all 8 of the wet and dry channels that USB recording gives you; you can only record two channels.

- you don't have the zero-latency direct monitoring on the POD. Depending on your DAW and PC this may be a big problem. You can work around this by plugging the line-out of the PC into the mixer and monitoring from the mixer if you can split the in and out into a sub mix for the record out.

- depending on your soundcard, you probably aren't using ASIO, which may or may not be a problem.

- you cannot use GearBox to edit and transfer patches without changing wiring connections constantly.

- you cannot use GearBox with Guitar Port Online tracks and lessons at all, period.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by LeonardoCastro on 2009-03-27 08:41:23

+1 (plus one).

I totally agree with ClassicalDad!

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by Baggs on 2009-03-27 08:46:07

I probably should not have used the word "solution", but it certainly is a compromise until Line 6 fixes the problem, at least you can record.I feel like a lot of you. I've had almost every pod from the 1st one to the X3 and I'm finally reaching the end of the line with Line 6 like many people here, and I think the new format of the forum is just terrible.

Baggs

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by ClassicalDad on 2009-03-27 09:04:48

I actually bought my Behringer mixer for exactly the reason that you posted, only to find that GearBox is hardwired to send audio out the USB no matter what you do, so I still couldn't use the GPO tracks and lessons. I chose the Line6 POD _because_ of the GPO tracks and lessons. I don't complain about the wasted money on the mixer because it's nice to finally have one anyway. I do complain about paying for GPO since last August and not being able to use it.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by Starriddin on 2009-03-27 12:44:31

Yes Classicaldad, I agree there is no possible workaround that will give you 8 channels in from the X3L without USB. As I said in the original post, Line 6 should self impose a deadline to resolve this. That way there is a sense of urgency. Otherwise, two years go by, everybody gets tired of complaining, and the problem never gets resolution.

Please Line 6 - Miller, JC, Angela - let us know the whole story. What has been tried, what the techs think cause it, what can be done about it, and how much longer will it take?

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by MetalHellBoy on 2009-03-27 23:29:44

Right as said...

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by ALV89 on 2009-03-28 03:14:47

so ive been following this and i was really really hoping that a fix for this would be out by now... is their anything that can be done if Line 6 refuses to provide a fix?? any possibilaty of tying to get mor support by going to other forums to join us here? maybe to get Line 6 to see that a vast amount would really REALLY want a fix... ?

kind of sucks that i bought this with the intention to record through USB and i that have to reboot both my computer and the POD to be able to hear anything...

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by geeker on 2009-03-28 03:26:46

What I find weird is that my X3 Live does not work on any of mt AMD machines but it did on my Intel laptop.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by Potu on 2009-03-28 05:29:50

belive me, neighter doesnt matter, is it AMD or a INTEL. I tested my ass off with different computers. Compareing the systems and so. Yet no answer why it seems to work with some computers and some still give usb dropout. Funny though my own personal laptop and the "most powerful pod" are not working together.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by urchinvp on 2009-03-28 06:06:29

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by John_BlisterTip on 2009-03-28 15:09:12

Hey guys

First please forgive me if Im totally wrong about this but ...

I have posted a lot of solutions for this but I dont know how many really understood how common USB DAW problems are. At that time I stated that EVERY single DAW computer maker knows there are only a few Motherboards that have no problems with recording low latency audio. They will overstock on these MB's because of this truth. It is almost certain that You do not have one.

It is also almost certain that You have not been working with DAWs, in any depth, for long. Because if you had you would know how to fix this. In 15 years I have never had a problem with latency, drop outs, or corruption that lasted more than a week (and I use things much more complicated than the Pod). You research, you accept the truth, and you purchase compatable computer components.

I know some people dont want to accept this. But its a fact.

Let me ask this...

Does anyone who has this problem have an Intel p35, p5b, or p5k motherboard chipset?

I will bet almost none of you with this problem do. The ones that do have much hope as it most likely your video card or internet and not you usb chipset or bridge. I will check back when I have time but as of now I have not seen one person convince me that i would be posting on this forum for a year begging line6 to fix this--as I would have done it myself.

The other question is does anyone with this problem NOT have the problem, on the same machine, with the Toneport? Give exact details of machine, chipset, all components, DAW and latency settings.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by Sir-Mixalot on 2009-03-28 15:34:00

Well all I have to say is that I have an M-Audio sound card and it works flawlessly NO AUDIO drops EVER, I can't say that about the X3L since I do expereince these droppouts. So this NONSENCE of the right MB, VC, or other non related hardware in my PC being the cause is a red herring.

I saw nothing on the box that said the X3L was ONLY compatible with SUCH and SUCH Chipset. As well if that is the case then L6 needs to get better hardware engineers and software designers.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by johnnymosh on 2009-03-28 16:14:25

JBT,

While I wholeheartedly agree that a PC-DAW platform that is custom configured results in a much more pleasant experience and provides much more power for expansive projects with high track counts and/or greater VST/VSTi plugin usage, the simple fact is that almost any computer from a reputable manufacturer, properly optimized, should allow for at least 16 tracks of simultaneous audio with a reasonable smattering of fx and/or instruments. I have used Dell's, Compaq's, HP's, IBM's, and Acer computers (desktops and laptops), all right out of the box, with minor operating system tweaks, and got good performance for small (8-16 trks) to midsized (16-24 trks) projects without any dropouts. The boxes ranged from Pentium II to PIV, and various ranges of AMD processors, on various motherboards with various RAM capacities. I have used with them various M-Audio, Line6 and Creative Labs interfaces, both PCI and USB, all with success. On some machines I even had two interfaces successfully installed and operational. I had even frankensteined a Dell PII-450 into a PIII-Tualitin using a slocket-1 adapter on a BX440 MB, with double the RAM over spec, with much success. Talk about hardware abominations. Yet, after the research and the upgrades, it got me good results, with both USB and PCI interfaces.

The point is, that the power of your machine and the quality of its components should be proportional to the size of the projects you have in mind. Granted, big projects require work-horse computers with top-notch components. But an average consumer machine, provided it is optimized and contains decent components, should yield decent to good results for a small to mid-sized project. Based on my experiences, they have done just that.

As this pertains to the X3Live, I can only say that there is no reason why the X3Live should not be able to handle simple duplex functionality, such as using GuitarPort Online, on any relatively modern computer. I mean, an old 286/386 could easily handle basic duplex functionality. My gut is telling me something is just not right with the X3Live units that are having problems. I mean, ClassicalDad can't even just simply use GPO. It doesn't make any sense at all. Add to that the fact that the problem is not present in the X3 bean or pro and it reeks of some kind of design or manufacturing SNAFU. Then, take the X3Live history into account, the cheapy footswitches and the poor pot quality, and it starts to look more and more like either the contracted manufacturer was trying to cut cost corners to bolster the margins by using substandard components, or that the initial design was flawed. I have additional reasons for believing the fault lies with the X3Live, because in late 2008 or early 2009, I checked out the Line6 Career site and I saw 3 job postings in Product Manufacturing division. One was a Product Manufacturing Manager's position, and the other 2 were Product Manufacturing Engineer's positions. These postings, all at the same time, screamed to me that the responsible X3 manufacturing team heads were SACKED. Of course, I can only surmise, but it seems the most plausible explanation to me, given the number of postings and the ever-increasing complaints about the USB problems. ClassicalDad also mentioned that a few users posted to the forum that Line6 successfully experimented with a hardware fix with their X3Live's. Just another indication that points to a product defect.

Anyhow, I admire your endeavor to help those suffering with the problem. I, like you, empathize greatly with them. And I hope they hearken to your advice because working with a well-spec'd DAW is a true pleasure. Finally, I sure hope Line6 can find a reasonable solution.

PEACE!!!

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by Crusty_Old_Rocker on 2009-03-28 16:27:58

Please forgive my curiosity.

I have used by POD X3 Live extensively on 3 different machines, 1 desktop and 2 notebooks without ever experiening the USB audio dropout, so I don't know much about the issue. But, I was wondering if putting a separate PCI USB card into a desktop computer has remedied the situation for anyone who has experienced the problem.

Cheers,

Crusty

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by ClassicalDad on 2009-03-28 17:06:24

Adding a PCI USB into desktops worked for a few people. Rowbi might even be one of them. It didn't work for me. I tried 3 desktops and 2 laptops and none work. I've only seen one or two posts over the last year++ that claimed an individual unit that failed on one computer worked on another. I'm sure if Line6 could blame it on hardware or configuration or Windows or MacOS, they would have done so.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by aural on 2009-03-28 17:23:57

John_BlisterTip wrote:

Hey guys

First please forgive me if Im totally wrong about this but ...

You basically posted this on the old forum also, saying if other people were experts like you they wouldn't be having problems, and blaming it on user's computers.

Yet we know of at least 2 cases where Line6 did hardware repairs which cured people's problems with the exact same systems they had been using before the hardware fix.

Are there cases where the user is totally to blame, and either has an unoptimized system or other problems on their end? Undoubtedly.

Are there cases where the USB dropout is caused by faulty Line6 hardware? That certainly seems to be the case.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by Zebop on 2009-03-28 17:49:25

I have chosen my laptop carefully for use with "Pro" audio interfaces and DAW software. It's an IBM (lenovo). Not one of the cheap ones but an R61i. Low PDC latency...and "proved" to be ok for audio work....

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by Starriddin on 2009-03-28 19:56:02

John,

Nothing personal, but, you are full of %*&$! Do you think your are the only computer literate person on this board? I have the problem and I am running what was at the time of purchase, a state of the art Dell Lattitude Laptop. This has been a workhorse for Dell for years so I would think Line 6 would have intened for the X3L to work with such a common PC. Many, if not all of us with this problem have stripped our PC's of virtually everything trying to eliminate this problem. I wish you had my PC so I could prove that you could not possibly fix this yourself. In short, go brag about your PC expertise to someone that gives a %$%#! Or better yet, tell Line 6 what to do to fix it.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by MarkSSwanson on 2009-03-29 03:37:42

I think it is pretty clear the fault lies in the X3L. It was either a fault intolerant design or the manufacturers used substandard components. This is the only explanation for why some users can attach their X3L to five different machines and still get the dropout while other users can attach to any machine without dropout. It also explains why the hardware fix that was done for Shags cured the problem. I think there's a good chance that a poorly configured DAW or a "weak" platform can contribute to the problem, but those machines will also manifest other problems like cracking or popping and large latencies. I'm also beginning to think that the X3Pro is a "cured" version of the X3L - made with better design or components but basically just a rack mounted version of the X3L. I haven't used one but I don't hear too many complaints about it. It also costs $200 more than the X3L. Anyone want to loan me some money?

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by steeeeeeeeeevo on 2009-03-29 08:02:19

Return the X3L for repairs or full refund to the store you purchaced it from.

Thats the solution.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by johnnymosh on 2009-03-29 08:18:19

Slainte Crusty,

My recollections from reading many of the USB posts are similar to ClassicalDad's, in that a USB adapter card worked for some, did not work for others. I also recall a number of threads from the old X3 forum that listed a good number of tweaks and optimizations to try and overcome the USB dropout issue. The installation of a USB Adapter card was among the many suggestions. If I were faced with the problem, I'd definitely try an adapter card and I would choose a BELKIN as, from what I have read elsewhere, seem to bring the most success. However, I like you are fortunate and do not have the USB dropout on my X3Live, at least not yet, knock-on-wood. And I haven't read the posts yet, but ClassicalDad stated that he was aware of a few X3Live users who were chosen as "guinea pigs" for Line6 to experiment with a hardware fix, which the users claimed were successful. But, since I haven't read them myself, my account is hearsay. Anywho, good to see ya back on the X3 board. Your knowledge and experience will be much appreciated.

For those of you experiencing the USB dropouts, I will share a few tricks that I have come to learn over time, should you feel so inclined to try them:

1) Ensure that POWER MANAGEMENT is disabled. If power management is enabled, the USB Controllers are frequently polled for activity, and this can result in dropout if you're recording. If you want, you can take the extra measure of disabling POWER MANAGEMENT for each USB port by using the CONTROL PANEL>SYSTEM>HARDWARE>DEVICE MANAGER, and find the USB heading on the list. Expand the list of USB devices, and on right-click on every entry called USB ROOT HUB, select PROPERTIES, and navigate to the POWER MANAGEMENT tab, and uncheck the box that asks if you want to the computer to turn off power to the device.

2) And while your in the DEVICE MANAGER, why not take a look and see if there is any IRQ sharing happening on your USB controllers? In the VIEW menu item, select VIEW RESOURCES BY CONNECTION, then expand the IRQ list. You should see your USB controller(s) listed, and the IRQ (interrupt request) that has been assigned to it. If any other device has the same IRQ number, then the USB controller is sharing the interrupt. If the device sharing the interrupt is non-essential (e.g., a network controller, stock sound card, etc...) then right-click on the device that is sharing the IRQ with the USB controller, and select DISABLE. This will give the controller exclusive access to the memory interrupt. When you're done recording, you can always enable the device again the same way you disable it.

3) Install a USB adapter card, either PCI, PCIe or PCMCIA. From what I have read over time, the BELKIN brand has been the one to solve more USB audio-related problems. If anyone else has had success with a particular brand, by all means, share your experience. As with the stock USB controllers, it is important to make sure that the adapter card is not sharing an IRQ with other hardware. So check the same way I explained above, and disable any non-essential hardware that is sharing. If you find the IRQ is shared with an essential device, then I'd recommend moving the adapter card to a different adapter slot on the motherboard.

4) Disable any and all wireless networking, bluetooth and infrared adapters, if present. In fact, there are a lot of people who create new hardware profiles in Windows, and disable any piece of hardware that is non-essential to audio recording. They then save and use this hardware profile when recording. When they want to do non-recording stuff, they switch to the normal hardware profile. A bit of a pain, but it does free up a lot of resources. The less stuff vying for CPU attention, the more power available to your audio interface.

5) Disconnect any non-essential USB devices from your computer. Plain and simple. Other USB devices will diminsh available bandwidth and power available from the USB controller.

6) Perform as many operating system tweaks as you can, especially in Windows. This includes disabling all non-essential programs and services. There are plenty of hits to be had on google if you search for them. Also, Line6 maintains a document on recommended tweaks for recording with USB audio devices.

PEACE!!!

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by tubealot on 2009-03-29 08:51:10

+1

Process confirmed to work, by physical evidence.

On another note, could anyone pls link to pics of X3L guts? Google is not friendly right now...

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by tubealot on 2009-03-29 08:59:06

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by ClassicalDad on 2009-03-29 09:49:41

johnnymosh wrote:

And I haven't read the posts yet, but ClassicalDad stated that he was aware of a few X3Live users who were chosen as "guinea pigs" for Line6 to experiment with a hardware fix, which the users claimed were successful. But, since I haven't read them myself, my account is hearsay.

If it weren't for the fact that Line6 has now disabled the search function on the old forum, I could find the first-person posts for you. I read them myself. I have exchanged private email with them. The most recent person doesn't actually know what hardware modification was done, and in fact had no direct contact with Line6. He's in Germany. A bit of a mystery compared to the others, I'd say.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by MarkSSwanson on 2009-03-29 10:59:02

See if this link takes you to the comment by Shags regarding his X3L. He was one of the early people to post about the USB dropout. He's in England and had some hardware repairs done on it - something to do with on board oscillators/clocks. In early March he posted on the board and I asked him about his X3L. His response should be in this link.

My X3L was returned and a hardware mod was made.I have had it back for 2 weeks now, and not hada single audio drop on any of the machines.I have tested recording and re-amping with Pod Farmand all appears to working as advertised."

and further down, this quote in a reply from shags:

> Line 6 replaced the 24 Mhz free running oscillator on> the USB circuit for a powered (3.3V) 24 Mhz> oscillator which is much more stable and reliable and> it seems to have solved my problem, i was also> experiencing the occasional crash so the power supply> was also replaced, again no further power problems.> > Verdict> > The X3 is an outstanding modeler and now it is fully> functional in terms of pc connectivity i am bloody> well ecstatic, the main reason i bought it was to> record to the pc.

Thats very interesting, I had not heard about this "fix".I wonder if my repair was just a mobo change before theystarted changing the oscillator.

I wonder if the oscillator is responsible for the timing ofthe usb sync signal.... hmmm ... my original instinctswere saying sync issues.

> > Hope this information is useful to you and best of> luck with a resolution for your USB probs.> > Cheers

very interesting bit of information!

yet another:

"I'm not sure whether I can give details yet, but I haven't any usb drop outon any of my machines after a hardware mod to the x3l. I have have run it for 2-3 hours at a time.Tested in the front panel usb ports and the motherboard rear ones, and I don't need to disable the onboard soundcard either.I haven't tried recording yet as I have only had it back a few days,but looking very positive so far."

I am pleased to say my understanding is no longer hearsay!! Never doubted you for a minute ClassicalDad!!

PEACE!!!

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by steeeeeeeeeevo on 2009-03-29 21:26:31

Shouldnt someone be fowarding this info to all the sevice centers ?

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by MarkSSwanson on 2009-03-30 05:48:17

I wonder if this fix is "too expensive" for L6 to absorb. And I wonder why it took place in England but not the US or North America. And I wonder why L6 refuses to acknowledge what was done with Shags' X3L. OK, that's way too much wondering.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by ClassicalDad on 2009-03-30 07:15:30

The ones that we know about have been done in the UK, Germany and the US. I'm in Canada if Line6 would like to test another...

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by steeeeeeeeeevo on 2009-03-30 16:53:32

I am in Victoria BC , X3L is at a service center somewhere in Canada.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by jonkuzma on 2009-03-30 18:08:22

Hey I;ll bump this..Yeah it's time for something...Or maybe L6 needs to hire someone with some balls to step up to the plate and actually Speak...At present there seems to be a very good reason the Monkey it titled thus...

Can´t we do it on our own? How to replace it? Where to buy (in Germany)?

I´m completely disappointed about Line6 "support", it´s just a pain in the ass

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by TheRealZap on 2009-03-31 07:34:24

considering that most of us are out of warranty and fed up... this information would be great! as the part itself is probably dirt cheap.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by TheRealZap on 2009-03-31 07:41:17

wow... just googled the info you provided... and the variations are huge! someone who has the upgrade would need to post a part number or something very specific. needless to say... as far as DIY goes... count me out as an early adopter.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by ClassicalDad on 2009-03-31 08:40:58

When I offered in a recent thread to pay for the fix myself, I received a PM saying only "You won't have to pay. Please hang in there.". Yes, this is not new news; they've been saying this for over a year. Call me what you like, but I _still_ believe them.

Six months ago I was told they would fix this after the warranty expires. I haven't seen any recent re-assurance of this, but I have no reason to believe otherwise. They have said this with footswitch problems and I haven't heard otherwise.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by timowens on 2009-03-31 09:09:55

Zap,

That is a good idea but a risky one without a schematic. You see, there could be other components that they replaced to support the new oscillator and that would be very difficult to figure out without a schematic. I do component level repairs on all kinds of telecommunications equipment every day but I would hesitate to work on a $500 unit without a schematic unless it was the simplest of modifications, it's just too easy to make a mistake and end up with a dead unit all together.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by TheRealZap on 2009-03-31 10:21:48

i do some work with electronics myself... but i'm more of an FRU kind of guy... meaning yeah... even with a schematic it'd have to be dead simple...

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by TheRealZap on 2009-03-31 10:24:09

it sounds like something they should have typed on the thread for all to see...

but everything they do say gets picked apart ... so thats probably why they were hesitant.

but it's just our collective frustration and our desire to find the good... and our cynicism to believe the worst anyway.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by maik211 on 2009-03-31 10:40:17

Hey Line6Miller or so else-what about a Line6 workshop? DIY repair or something like that...

Can we get some information please?

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by phil_m on 2009-03-31 10:41:26

I just have a hard time believing that if it were a simple hardware fix that some seem to be saying it is, that Line 6 wouldn't have just gone ahead and issued technical bulletins to the service centers already - I know this is how they've handled other hardware issues. I have a feeling that it's a combination of hardware and software and the time being spent is to get everything on the same page.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by TheRealZap on 2009-03-31 10:49:17

maybe it's just easier for them to manufacture the upgraded mother boards in quantity to be swapped out than it is to do component repairs on each one...

who knows... welll i mean... they know... they are painting clues into their own mona lisa, and hiding the answer in the same chamber as the grail...

we need to call indiana jones and have someone nuke the fridge so that we can get down to business and find the answers...

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by Hey_Joe on 2009-03-31 12:22:29

phil_m wrote:

...I have a feeling that it's a combination of hardware and software...

When you think about it, why does the X3 and the X3P not have the problem? I think it's a combination of X3L hardware and it's software and the multitude of software variables per user's machines.

I am guessing that the footswitches and the pedal have created part of the hardware issue because they are the components that are missing from the other two X3 Series pods.

The XTL never had the problem but doesn't have the new processor, dual tone technology and the new manufacturing cheapness variable. I have a feeling that Line6 are trying to rectify the fix with firmware, like they did with the paint chips and it can't be done... but this is the only way to get out of this mess without a hardware replacement recall (big dollar loss for Line6). - - IF - - they actually know how to fix it with new hardware.

This notion may have been suggested numerous times but this topic has been started repeatedly ad nauseam over the course of the past 19 months, so I might have missed it since I tend to not read about Drop Out any more unless I feel the urge to make a snide comment about Line6.

I too have had this problem since the first 30 days after the release in 2007 and was one of the first to post it as a problem and it was blamed on my operating system before it became as wide spread of an issue and I have experienced various new behaviors from my unit with every update.

My uneducated 2¢

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by ericoascencao on 2009-03-31 14:15:26

Hi guys!!

Well, I'm another guy who is sufering due to USB drop-outs. I purchased my X3L three weeks ago, after selling my Zoom setup (G9.2tt for guitar, A2.1u for acoustic guitar and B2.1u for bass guitar), because I wasn't satisfied with USB recording results with Zoom G9.2tt, and also because X3L could work as the only tool for all my aplications.

Last weekend I tried to record some simple things just to learn how to connect X3L to my computer and so on, but I "discoverred" this terrible problem. I've never had this kind of trouble with my Zooms (the only trouble was only the sound quality). I've heard many things about X3L bugs before buying it, but I didn't hava any other choice, because PODs are the best options for the ones who want to record at home via USB or line outputs.

Well, I'd like to know if line recording using P10 instrument outputs will provide me results as good as the results provided by USB recording. If Line 6 won't solve the USB problem, I'll consider buying a simple USB interface (with line-level inputs, for exemple, M-Audio Fast Track) to use with my POD X3L.

PS.: I can't assign the USB petition because I'm Brazilian, though my pedalboard was bought in EUA.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by TheRealZap on 2009-03-31 17:29:30

you can use the digital/analog outs of the x3 into another device... the quality will be there... we call this an alternative method... NOT a workaround because you lose the ability to record 8 tracks...

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by Pstrat on 2009-04-03 16:43:03

So I've suffered with the fact that I could not use ASIO with X3live because I simply could not monitor....until now. This is has been suggested some time ago, I bought a USB 2.0 PCMCIA card for my HP DV5030US laptop. I'm running Windows 7 and Reaper. I plugged in the card, the computer recognized it. I plugged in my X3live and turned on my Atomic amp. Voila instant sound. I recorded on a backing track that Fester gave me a while back and was able to record 3 plus minutes without loosing audio. I had the entire recording stop 3 times during the song for a split second and start back up. However it didn't affect my recording. When I played back I get the same pauses. My thoughts are maybe if I were to mixdown that these would dissappear (There is no break in waveform, so not sure what pauses are from). This to me is like night and day. Even with the hiccups its so much better.

The card cost me 22 dollars on Amazon.com

Also. When I had X3 plugged into the normal USB 2.0 of my laptop and had the power cord plugged in I'd get horrible interference, So much so I had to run on battery and since my battery sucks it was difficult. Not anymore this new Card has makes no noise at all.

Finally, I didn't have to do anything with my computer (Other than select the X3 as the default soundcard for recording. I supposed If I shut all the extra stuff off like Wireless and what not I may have avoided the hiccups as well.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by ClassicalDad on 2009-04-03 16:50:32

Getting rid of the hum on a laptop with a PCMCIA USB card is indeed new news, to me anyway. Well done! I imagine this could be laptop dependant.

There are docs on the website to help with the hickups.This is from an old Line6 post:

1. Fill out your support profile at http://line6.com/account/supportProfile/2. Ensure that you have tested all cables to make sure that they are not defective (USB, audio, etc.)3. Ensure that you have all cables connections set up properly4. Adjust the Buffer Slider in the Line 6 Audio MIDI Control Panel. (Windows Users: Start/All Programs/Line6/Tools/Audio-MIDI Devices; Mac Users: System Preferences/Other/Audio-MIDI Devices)5. Adjust Sample Rates and Bit Depths in the Line 6 Audio MIDI Control Panel and ensure that the Sample Rates and Bit Depth settings in the Line 6 Audio MIDI Control Panel also match the project settings in your DAW/recording application6. Ensure that you have the Line 6 device set up in your operating system as the main input/output device (sound card); disable internal sound card in your operating system\u2019s Device Manager control panel7. Ensure that your Line 6 USB Device is not connected to a powered USB hub; direct USB ports are required and please try ALL available direct USB ports during the troubleshooting process8. Remove all non-essential USB peripherals from the computer (not the mouse or keyboard)9. Disable any wireless cards on computer in Device Manager10. Set Power Schemes on computer in Control Panel (PC Only) to Always On11. There are also several other tips and optimizations you can make on your PC. Please refer to the following document for more information:http://line6.com/data/l/0a06007213339477ea0690cb2a/application/pdf/GearBox%203.5%20and%20later%20Windows%20XP%20&%20Vista%20Audio%20Tips%20&%20Optimizations%20(Rev%20A)%20-%20English.pdf

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by euphoriaburn on 2009-04-04 02:16:16

Do the MAC apple users have an audio dropouts?

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by ans-si on 2009-04-04 02:33:01

Yes, the problem exists also with macs. Both in older PowerPC-based and new Intel-macs.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by euphoriaburn on 2009-04-04 02:35:27

Does anybody confirmed for old Mac?

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by ans-si on 2009-04-04 02:43:07

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by geeker on 2009-04-04 03:03:41

XT Live will never have a problem.......It's the X3 Live....

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by ans-si on 2009-04-04 03:11:41

Sorry, I was not clear enough.

I was trying to point out that other gear, even from line6.. , works perfectly in the same machine while X3L does not.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by orangekeeper2 on 2009-04-05 12:18:50

Le Bump

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by artynerd on 2009-04-06 10:45:19

Does anyone know if this problem persists with the POD X3 pro?

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by Hey_Joe on 2009-04-06 11:17:16

I have only seen one post on a USB Drop Out topic on the old forum where a forum member who bought the X3P reported having the problem the first month they were released and before any Pro updates.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by tsitts on 2009-04-06 13:07:25

artynerd:

I have a Pod X3 PRO; had it about 2 months now. Use the USB all the time, and have never had a dropout.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by kbradwisdom on 2009-04-06 17:35:10

I have tried to use the USB connectivity on several different computers several different operating systems and have had audio drop out on every single system. I made sure before I purchased this X3 that my computer exceeded the minimum and recommended requirements. The X3 sounds outstanding and I used to love GPO. I really want to record what I hear. I really want to use the GPO online function. I have purchased several products from line 6, Guitar Port, Pod XT live a spider II amp and now the X3 live. I have been a subscriber to GPO for many years. I have been very loyal to this company. I just would like regular updates even if it is to say "we are still working on it".

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by steeeeeeeeeevo on 2009-04-06 21:12:56

A Reply from line6 , not very very likley.

I think most of us who replied on this page have spent a few grand on line 6 gear in the past.

If your unit is not working properly just return it to the store you purchased it from...let them deal with it.

They have no choise but to send it in to a L6 service center or give you your money back for it.

I want to see the service center flooded with X3Ls.........THE FIX WOULD HAPPEN sooner than very very soon.

Nobody from L6 listens to us players anymore they listen to CHAIN STORES through out the world.

I wouldnt be surprized to see L6 stuff available at Walmart very very soon.

IM A A SS SOMETIMES

.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by Islandboy on 2009-04-07 07:21:35

Am I missing something, or did Miller not say a couple weeks back somewhere on this forum that they're going to roll out a USB audio dropout fix in the next coming weeks or something? Or was that an April Fool's joke?

I definitely read it somewhere on here....I'm just too lazy to find it again and post the link. I mean, the sun is shining and I should be outside on my bike!!!

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by ClassicalDad on 2009-04-07 07:42:25

Yes, he said that and I'm the one who quoted it in a new thread. Funny thing is, only a couple of people even commented on it. I guess we've heard it so many times we find it hard to get excited. But as I've said before, reading between the lines, I do finally feel that we are getting real close now.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by Hey_Joe on 2009-04-07 08:45:59

Apr 1, 2009 10:16 AM

I have been working diligintly on this issue for the last few days and we are very near to rolling out a fix for the USB issue.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by ClassicalDad on 2009-04-07 08:51:11

Call me what you will, but I believe him this time.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by Hey_Joe on 2009-04-07 09:01:34

What has me bewildered about this whole thing is the shags thread.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by ClassicalDad on 2009-04-07 09:05:03

In what way do you mean? The fact that he had his fixed more than 6 months ago? I suspect we'll never know why it's taken so long, but once the fix comes out, I'll probably stop wondering why this and why that and go back to playing the guitar.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by Hey_Joe on 2009-04-07 09:19:15

I guess I'm still wondering if we are going to taking our X3Ls to service centers for the the 24 Mhz free running oscillator on the USB circuit for a powered (3.3V) 24 Mhz oscillator or a firmware update fix like Line6 did for the paint chips (software work around for a physical hardware problem)

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by ClassicalDad on 2009-04-07 09:28:54

We can only guess. My guess has always been that a hardware fix is coming, based on the fact that it's taking so long, a guy in Germany had his fixed just a couple of months ago, L6M used the words "roll out" instead of "release", etc. Hey, I know I'm grasping at straws but since I've convinved myself of this I've been sleeping better at night.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by Hey_Joe on 2009-04-07 10:17:07

What scares me about an Authorized Service Center in my area is...

I had to take one of my Variaxes into one of the location choices here in southern California and it took 30 days to get "onto the Bench" (as they put it) and after having the vax for over 30 days they called me up and said come and get it...they gave it back to me un-repaired saying they couldn't find a thing wrong with it. That was in the XTL days and they didn't even have a XTL in shop...I gave them my Pod for another 2 weeks and they still couldn't figure out that the high E and B string piezos were dead. After I went to Vettavile and did some learning, I had to fix it myself after Miller sent me two pick ups. That scares me about having those same guys do any hardware fixes and the waiting time involved.

I talked to a Line6 phone wrench back then and they said these guys have to study the specs on Line6's stuff and have to pass tests to be qualified to do their fixes...these guys obviously failed the tests and were still thought to be qualified. I would have to take it to the same guys if what you FEEL is true.

just my own anxious paranoid concerns...

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by ClassicalDad on 2009-04-07 10:24:20

Wow, those are certainly valid concerns. When L6M used the words "roll out" the fix, hopefully that means detailed instructions (and parts list?) for the service centers. IOW, no trouble-shooting involved. Trouble-shooting and following soldering instructions are quite different. Hopefully your boys can at least do the latter.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by TheRealZap on 2009-04-07 10:35:13

when i recently ordered a graphtech nut for my vax, they tried to sell me their ghost piezo pickups as an upgrade as well...

said that they work fine... just need soldered to the board... supposedlly has many of the same benefits as the nut...

just throwing that out there for anyone finding themselves needing new piezo's as alot of us are out of warranties...

myself... i always hate spending money just to be where i was... so i tend to use opportunities like that as upgrade opportunities.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by Phryrduk on 2009-04-07 11:36:31

I replaced the saddles on my 500 and 700 with ghost saddles. tiny wires to work with but no to bad

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by TheRealZap on 2009-04-07 11:39:17

its a little off topic with the thread... but i'm very curious as to how they worked out for you? was it a worthwhile upgrade?

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by Phryrduk on 2009-04-07 13:26:42

THe ghost saddles worked out great for me. My main reason for going with them was to stop the string breakage issues I was having with the variaxes. THey do have may other added benifits as well, stringer signal and string balance, better tracking when you lower pitch with the wammy, and the guitars stay in tune better. Plus I like they way they look, I have regular garph tech saddles on my other guitars.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by orangekeeper2 on 2009-04-07 16:35:22

I have FR ghost saddles on my Ibanez transplant and they work great. VERY small wires to work with but not a serious problem. The pickups seem to have a hotter output then the Bagg's bridge but nothing that a string volume adjustment can't sort out....

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by ans-si on 2009-04-14 11:06:43

News? Inside information? Anything?

When we get the soon-to-be-rolled-out fix that is beyond testing phase?

I have been polling support forums for drop-out information since January when I bought my pod. (yep, lucky me. I know that some of you have been polling this forum about the same issue since X3 launch).

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by John_BlisterTip on 2009-04-14 12:38:58

Starriddin wrote:

John,

Nothing personal, but, you are full of %*&$! Do you think your are the only computer literate person on this board? I have the problem and I am running what was at the time of purchase, a state of the art Dell Lattitude Laptop. This has been a workhorse for Dell for years so I would think Line 6 would have intened for the X3L to work with such a common PC. Many, if not all of us with this problem have stripped our PC's of virtually everything trying to eliminate this problem. I wish you had my PC so I could prove that you could not possibly fix this yourself. In short, go brag about your PC expertise to someone that gives a %$%#! Or better yet, tell Line 6 what to do to fix it.

Woah..that sounds personal. Great treatment for someone trying to help.

The funny thing is that not a single person mentioned which chipset they have. This is why no one can diagnose the problem. What do you guys think...Line6 used 1 random computer to test their release? This is a problem that affects only a small number of computers--yet no one will even mention their chipset specs? Did anyone check the DAW makers?..No.

I gave good info, I stated facts, posed solutions and suggestions. I wish Line6 could help you, I wish I could help you,..but maybe You can help you. You may want to read in all these evil intentions I have for trying to help, or that I think Line6 writes stellar USB protocol but whatever..people here who know me.. know what Im saying here.

The logical thing to do is list all your specs

..indentify working machines

..indentify trouble machines

..indentify commonalities and proceed with the best course of action for you

After all the rants...That has not been done. Many people here without the problem have said this and many have scatched their heads on how You can just sit there waiting for a solution from Line6 when its in your power to get recording. That was the point of me saying--do you really think anyone serious about recording would sit there for months waiting?

Anyway..Im done trying to help because I actually believe I got through to even you. You see, your gonna sit around around for a few more months, your gonna remember my post, and your gonna ditch that state of the art dell...and your gonna be recording. For you, at that point, it doesnt even matter if its Line6 or your setup. Your gonna stop waiting and do something for yourself. That was the point of my post and its a good point.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by Zebop on 2009-04-14 14:41:20

COME ON

I have listed my specs before...In this thread...This is a laptop that is PROVEN to work well with prosumer (usb) audio cards....I have:

UX8 (quite new) : no probs

UX2 (very old) : no probs

NEW Ux2 STUDIO at school: no probs...

IN ANY OF MY 3 USB PORTS

X3 LIVE: big, big probs, and they are according to what I read here (and on the old forum, where I posted this also) quite common...Losing usb audio stream from pc after a random amount of time

I DID my research on chipsets, dpc latency and all...And everything works, EXCEPT MY X3LIVE...I am NOT new to this, have had numerous pc's, built suite some myself used PCI audio interfaces (TERRATEC MT88), used AMD processors, intel chipsets, Via chipsets, intel chipsets, hey even SIS and ALI chipsets..I used Win 95, 98, XP, Vista, even dos and flashed more then one bios in my life...

I can ASSURE YOU, this config is AUDIO PROOF, bu then again, NOT with my X3LIVE....

EAT THAT....

Hugo (pego.be at soundonsound)

John_BlisterTip wrote:

Starriddin wrote:

John,

Nothing personal, but, you are full of %*&$! Do you think your are the only computer literate person on this board? I have the problem and I am running what was at the time of purchase, a state of the art Dell Lattitude Laptop. This has been a workhorse for Dell for years so I would think Line 6 would have intened for the X3L to work with such a common PC. Many, if not all of us with this problem have stripped our PC's of virtually everything trying to eliminate this problem. I wish you had my PC so I could prove that you could not possibly fix this yourself. In short, go brag about your PC expertise to someone that gives a %$%#! Or better yet, tell Line 6 what to do to fix it.

Woah..that sounds personal. Great treatment for someone trying to help.

The funny thing is that not a single person mentioned which chipset they have. This is why no one can diagnose the problem. What do you guys think...Line6 used 1 random computer to test their release? This is a problem that affects only a small number of computers--yet no one will even mention their chipset specs? Did anyone check the DAW makers?..No.

I gave good info, I stated facts, posed solutions and suggestions. I wish Line6 could help you, I wish I could help you,..but maybe You can help you. You may want to read in all these evil intentions I have for trying to help, or that I think Line6 writes stellar USB protocol but whatever..people here who know me.. know what Im saying here.

The logical thing to do is list all your specs

..indentify working machines

..indentify trouble machines

..indentify commonalities and proceed with the best course of action for you

After all the rants...That has not been done. Many people here without the problem have said this and many have scatched their heads on how You can just sit there waiting for a solution from Line6 when its in your power to get recording. That was the point of me saying--do you really think anyone serious about recording would sit there for months waiting?

Anyway..Im done trying to help because I actually believe I got through to even you. You see, your gonna sit around around for a few more months, your gonna remember my post, and your gonna ditch that state of the art dell...and your gonna be recording. For you, at that point, it doesnt even matter if its Line6 or your setup. Your gonna stop waiting and do something for yourself. That was the point of my post and its a good point.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by ClassicalDad on 2009-04-14 14:53:11

Guys, don't you think Line6 spent a good part of the last year and a half trying to prove this problem is the fault of our hardware and configuration? They obviously were not able to do that, and they obviously were not able to get around the issue with firmware changes. They would not be about to give us a harware solution on their dime unless they absolutely had to do so. I tried 6 computers and spent over $200 on extra hardware and I'm still stuck. I have no qualms about sitting and waiting for them to fix my unit, which they have promised to do. Some days I sit quieter than others.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by aural on 2009-04-14 16:38:11

John_BlisterTip wrote:

Starriddin wrote:

John,

Nothing personal, but, you are full of %*&$! Do you think your are the only computer literate person on this board? I have the problem and I am running what was at the time of purchase, a state of the art Dell Lattitude Laptop. This has been a workhorse for Dell for years so I would think Line 6 would have intened for the X3L to work with such a common PC. Many, if not all of us with this problem have stripped our PC's of virtually everything trying to eliminate this problem. I wish you had my PC so I could prove that you could not possibly fix this yourself. In short, go brag about your PC expertise to someone that gives a %$%#! Or better yet, tell Line 6 what to do to fix it.

Woah..that sounds personal. Great treatment for someone trying to help.

The funny thing is that not a single person mentioned which chipset they have. This is why no one can diagnose the problem. What do you guys think...Line6 used 1 random computer to test their release? This is a problem that affects only a small number of computers--yet no one will even mention their chipset specs? Did anyone check the DAW makers?..No.

I gave good info, I stated facts, posed solutions and suggestions. I wish Line6 could help you, I wish I could help you,..but maybe You can help you. You may want to read in all these evil intentions I have for trying to help, or that I think Line6 writes stellar USB protocol but whatever..people here who know me.. know what Im saying here.

The logical thing to do is list all your specs

..indentify working machines

..indentify trouble machines

..indentify commonalities and proceed with the best course of action for you

After all the rants...That has not been done. Many people here without the problem have said this and many have scatched their heads on how You can just sit there waiting for a solution from Line6 when its in your power to get recording. That was the point of me saying--do you really think anyone serious about recording would sit there for months waiting?

Anyway..Im done trying to help because I actually believe I got through to even you. You see, your gonna sit around around for a few more months, your gonna remember my post, and your gonna ditch that state of the art dell...and your gonna be recording. For you, at that point, it doesnt even matter if its Line6 or your setup. Your gonna stop waiting and do something for yourself. That was the point of my post and its a good point.

You are either ignoring relevant information, or maybe just not noticing. Nor are you noticing, apparently, the people whose computers work fine with other USB audio interfaces, EVEN LINE6's OWN UX-8, yet still have dropouts with the X3Live

Here again is yet another bit of evidence pointing to a hardware fault in the X3Live.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by hafhed on 2009-04-15 04:51:24

Link does not exist anymore.. Just in response to the disagreements on this thread.. All my other line 6 gear which includes kb37 and podxt live work on this computer. if the x3 is the only device that does not it would appear to be quite logical to assume it is the asio drivers for the x3l or the hardware itself.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by Crusty_Old_Rocker on 2009-04-15 05:13:20

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by Hey_Joe on 2009-04-15 06:13:07

Yeah...

lets find something new to b i t c h about

Goo goo gajoob ga goo goo ga joob

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by Crusty_Old_Rocker on 2009-04-15 06:20:02

Hey_Joe wrote:

Yeah...

lets find something new to b i t c h about

Goo goo gajoob ga goo goo ga joob

LMAO.

Cheers,

Crusty

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by fester2000 on 2009-04-15 08:35:30

Hey_Joe wrote:

...Goo goo gajoob ga goo goo ga joob

Why, yes...yes I do think the joker laughs at me.

Cheers,

Fester2k

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by Hey_Joe on 2009-04-15 08:39:13

ho ho ho, he he he, ha ha ha

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by brue58ski on 2009-04-15 21:52:06

Boy that didn't take long to go away. He said he took it in to an authorized repair place and they fixed it. On his receipt it said something like 24kH crystal replaced.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by Starriddin on 2009-04-16 09:34:10

Hi Crusty,

You had THE correct answer. And now, a big THANK YOU LINE 6!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by Starriddin on 2009-04-16 09:43:41

Hey Joe,

You got the helpful question just for being original and because I've always loved that line. By the way, where is Paul?

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by Hey_Joe on 2009-04-16 10:06:27

Starriddin wrote:

Hey Joe,

You got the helpful question just for being original and because I've always loved that line. By the way, where is Paul?

didn't you hear?

Paul is dead.

seriously...

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by MetalHellBoy on 2009-04-20 07:42:15

hi hi..

gona get my x3 live fixt.. talked to my shop about it to day.. they had heard about it yesterday!.. they gona get a modkit from the distrubitör to solve the problemo.. ..

i`m living in sweden by the way..

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by artynerd on 2009-04-23 11:50:49

Just in case anyone thinks this can be fixed with a firmware update...

I've been having annyoing dropout problems since I first purchased my X3 Live unit last fall, and like many of you, I figured it was my computer.

Last week, I bought the X3 Pro and guess what? Not a single dropout in nearly a week.

Glad to see Line6 is FINALLY addressing the problem with those tickets. For those of you still waiting on a firmware fix... it ain't happening - the fact the X3 Pro works like a charm where the X3 Live did not has convinced me it's definitely a hardware thing on their end.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by ricksox on 2009-04-23 11:56:55

We;ve admitted that it is a hardware problem. It's a warranty repair and you do NOT need a support ticket. Just contact your local service center for the repair.

Line6Miller

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by ans-si on 2009-04-23 12:08:30

Any change to get standalone version of POD farm while X3L is being fixed ?

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by TheRealZap on 2009-04-23 13:02:06

even if you were so lucky... pod farm requires hardware or ilok in order to launch.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by jonmar on 2009-04-23 14:20:22

I live in Norway and I looked at the service center page but I can't find a service center anywhere in Scandinavia. Who do I contact for the fix?

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by StudioTM on 2009-04-23 14:27:21

"Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout

I live in Norway and I looked at the service center page but I can't find a service center anywhere in Scandinavia. Who do I contact for the fix?"

I've got the same problem as you. Where do you bought yours? I bought mine at Immerslund (Oslo) in November 2007. I will contact them next week to see if they can help me.

Thor

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by silverhead on 2009-04-23 14:42:56

I have a similar problem - no service centre in my area (Ottawa, Canada). However, the dealer where I purchased the unit is part of a chain - and the head office IS a service centre. I contacted them and they said if I brought the unit back to where I bought it, they would handle the inter-office shipping and take care of the problem. Perhaps the location where you purchased the X3 is part of a similar chain/association of dealers, where one of them is a service centre?

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by StudioTM on 2009-04-23 14:46:48

Great!

I hope I will be as lucky as you!

Thor

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by jonmar on 2009-04-24 15:15:23

I bought mine at Imerslund in Oslo as well, I think at Trondheimsveien or at least somewhere around there. June 08. Could you please let me know what you find out?

I love that store by the way. It's my shop of choice for everything guitar related. Bought my Tele there as well.

Re: Line 6 - Time for a Solution for the USB Audio Dropout
by ricksox on 2009-04-24 15:33:13

Hi guys,

Just so you guys know, if you do not have a service center or distributor in your area then please give us a shout by phone to either our U.S. or U.K offices so we can help you resolve your issue.

Also, if you'd like, you can also contact the closest distributor to you and arrange the repair. If you have any problems with any distributors please call us.